Big games are often decided by small details, so Paseo Verde coach Adam Johnson is making sure his team is prepared for anything as it moves on to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The Mountain Region champions will face the West Region champions, Central East Maui of Wailuku, Hawaii, in a winners bracket game on Monday at 12:00 p.m.
The Henderson team’s 9-1 victory Thursday over South Shore of Staten Island, New York, in its World Series opener gave it a long break between games. The players had a chance to see some of the local sights, but the group spent most of its free time preparing.
Johnson and all 12 of his players participated in Central East Maui’s 5-0 win over Great Lakes champion Hinsdale, Illinois, on Friday.
“We had every kid in the stands,” Johnson said. “Anything we can take away is an advantage.”
The state of Hawaii has sent 13 teams to the Little League World Series since 1947. It has won the tournament four times, most recently in 2022.
Paseo Verde is only the third team from Nevada to compete in the event, following Mountain Ridge in 2014 and Henderson last year. Paseo Verde hopes to be the first team from the state to win it.
“Hawaii comes with a lot of balance and a lot of history,” Johnson said. “They have a lot of talent and they don’t beat themselves.”
Paseo Verde and Central East Maui both have no obvious weaknesses, but the former’s clear strength lies in pitching.
Ace Wyatt Erickson threw a no-hitter in the Mountain Region championship game to send his team to the Little League World Series, then picked up a complete-game victory over South Shore.
Right-handers Liam Sparks, Russell McGee, Gunnar Guadin and Oliver Johnson also pitched well during the regional, helping Paseo Verde to three consecutive shutouts in the last three games. The team also has left-hander Noah Letalu, who has not pitched in the postseason.
“We haven’t made a decision yet on who we’re going to start (on Monday),” Johnson said. “But we have confidence in whoever it is.”
The winner of Monday’s game will play again on Wednesday for a spot in the United States championship game. The loser will have to play an elimination game in the losers’ bracket on Tuesday.
The US championship game will take place on Saturday, with the winner moving on to face the international champion on Sunday for the title.
Given the players’ great enthusiasm for team baseball and their selfless nature on the field, Paseo Verde is confident it can work.
“I’m determined to get the next guy on base,” Letalu said of his at-bats. “I just try to get on base and play my role. I just want to do my part.”
Contact Jeff Wollard at [email protected].
